If your baby suddenly starts waking during the night, take a step back and evaluate things. Is it something to do with the conditions in her room? Has the weather changed so your baby is too cold during the night? Have the neighbours started leaving on an outdoor light that is shining into your baby's bedroom? If so, try to fix the situation. Dress her more warmly or put up a black-out blind.

Consider if her sudden night-time wakings follow a period of illness, or a holiday. Or do they coincide with a developmental change? If your baby has learned a new physical skill, such as crawling, she may want to try it out every chance she gets. This could even be in the middle of the night. Your baby may pull herself to standing, but not be able to get herself back down without help.

Deal with these sudden night-time wakings by keeping to what has worked before. Don't suddenly change her bedtime routine, or your usual method of getting her to sleep. Be consistent about what you do for several weeks. This will help your baby return to sleeping through the night once the temporary issue is resolved.

Last reviewed: March 2013

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